Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened, but the evidence does not suggest a new diagnosis or link to service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and fatigue have been reopened, but there is no new evidence suggesting these conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine and hip disorders, as secondary to his service-connected right and left knee disabilities. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current residuals, head contusion and chronic low back disorder are related to his active duty service. The claim for these conditions is granted.

The Board finds additional development is required before the Veteran's claims can be decided, including for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected lower back and bilateral lower extremity disabilities, as well as the nature and etiology of any sleep disorder and bilateral upper extremity disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and effective dates have been withdrawn. The Board has dismissed the appeal as there are no remaining issues to be adjudicated.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, effective December 5, 2011. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and diabetes mellitus due to Gulf War exposure. The evidence did not establish a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left shoulder condition, dizziness and balance condition (to include TBI), bilateral plantar fasciitis, restrictive airways disease, and total disability rating due to individual unemployability were denied. The Veteran was granted increased ratings for migraine headaches, acquired psychiatric disorder, and back disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is at least as likely as not permanently aggravated by his service-connected osteoarthritis of both knees, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to his service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is rated at 40 percent, effective from August 21, 2011. He also has separate ratings for left and right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, each rated at 20 percent, beginning December 13, 2016. The Veteran's hypertension and thrombophlebitis are not service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and lumbar strain, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his back disability. The TDIU claim will be deferred until the increased rating claims are resolved.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claim for lower back disability, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's skin condition, diagnosed as eczema of the hands, is rated non-compensable. The Board found that less than 5% of his body was affected by the condition and no systemic therapy was required.,Regarding service connection for a lower back condition, new evidence did not show any aggravation or worsening due to events in service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim, finding that new and material evidence has been received to reopen her service connection claim for a low back condition. The Board also found that lumbosacral strain is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for spondylolisthesis with arthritis of thoracolumbar spine and sciatic radiculopathy of the left lower extremity were denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the Hickson elements, which include a showing of in-service injury or disease, current disability, and medical nexus.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of this case as he is no longer alive.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection of a back disorder (DDD of the lumbar spine) and a cervical spine disorder (DDD of the cervical spine). The evidence now establishes that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and a neck disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service or any service-connected condition. The claim for TDIU prior to May 13, 2011 was also denied.